Mid-range saloon

The fuel-injected Royal Enfield Classic 500 is significantly more powerful than the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Q. I am a resident of Shimla and I’m scouting around for a good saloon in the Rs. 5-7 lakh price range. Can you recommend one?Nalinshaydeep Attri

A. For your budget, we suggest you go in for the Toyota Etios. It is spacious, fuel-efficient and has great performance, making it ideal for Shimla. However, the waiting list is very long and hence, if you need an early delivery, then you may have to look elsewhere. The next best choice is the Swift Dzire petrol, which again is very fuel efficient and reliable, backed by good service from Maruti.

Q. I have a November 2010 Hyundai i10, which did not have a factory-fitted audio system. I got a JBL system fitted recently but with Boston speakers. Am I wrong in thinking that mixing and matching will not produce good sound? Will adding a sub-woofer help improve sound quality?Manpreet Dhaliwal

A. Different brands for the head unit and speakers do not adversely affect the sound quality and in fact, could be better too. A subwoofer won’t add any vibrations to the car as these will be contained within the specifically designed speaker box. It is the best way to increase the dynamic range and loudness of your car audio system.

Q. I am a first-time two-wheeler buyer and need help to choose an automatic scooter. My budget is Rs 45,000. Please suggest a smart-looking scooter that will deliver decent mileage.Priyanka Agarwal

A. We suggest you buy the Honda Activa. It will serve you well for many years to come. It comes with a refined and proven 109cc Honda engine. Fuel efficiency is good — 44.1 kpl in the city and 47.6 kpl on a highway.

Q. I have set my heart on buying a Royal Enfield Classic but am confused between the 350cc and the 500cc variants. Which one should I go for?Apurva Thirani

A. The fuel-injected Royal Enfield Classic 500 is significantly more powerful than the Classic 350. The Classic 500 is easily a better bike, provided you don’t mind paying the premium it costs over its smaller capacity variant. If you can stretch your budget, we suggest you also consider buying a Harley-Davidson SuperLow 883, a new motorcycle that the American manufacturer has priced attractively for Rs 5.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).